Associate Director - Legal

Client of WhiteCrow Research; Dubai; On-site; AED 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

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Job summary

Client of WhiteCrow Research is seeking an experienced Legal Counsel to provide strategic guidance to senior management on hospitality-related matters in the UAE. You will interpret federal and emirate laws, draft and negotiate complex commercial agreements, and lead corporate governance and IP initiatives.

The role requires 5-7 years of post-qualification experience, leadership capabilities, and strong ability to advise across real estate, F&B, and asset management.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years (min) of post-qualification legal experience with leadership responsibilities.
• Experience advising business stakeholders on commercial and operational legal matters.
• Exposure to multi-jurisdictional work with familiarity of UAE law and regulations.
• Experience drafting, negotiating and managing commercial agreements.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal guidance to senior management on hospitality matters.
• Interpret UAE federal and emirate laws to ensure compliance.
• Draft, negotiate and manage complex commercial agreements across hotel, F&B, real estate and asset management.
• Develop standard contract templates and playbooks for hospitality operations.
• Support real estate and hospitality transactions including acquisitions and disposals.
• Coordinate with asset management on day-to-day legal matters affecting performance.
• Monitor regulatory developments in hospitality, real estate and mixed-use developments.
• Oversee disputes, litigation and ADR, coordinating with external counsel.
• Manage IP matters including trademarks, branding and licensing.
• Support governance matters including board processes and compliance obligations.

Skills

Leadership

Commercial contracts

Regulatory compliance

Cross-border advisory

Stakeholder management

Intellectual property management

Education

LL.B / JD or equivalent

Bar admission

Job description

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal guidance and counsel to senior management on a broad range of day-to-day legal matters affecting company Hospitality
• Interpret and apply UAE Federal and Emirate level laws, regulations and regulatory guidance to ensure ongoing compliance
• Review draft negotiate and manage complex commercial contracts including hotel management agreements branded residence agreements F amp B agreements leasing licensing agreements development and procurement contracts
• Develop maintain and roll out standard contract templates and playbooks tailored to hospitality operations and asset management
• Support real estate and hospitality transactions including acquisitions disposals developments refurbishments and asset repositioning
• Work closely with Asset Management teams on day-to-day operational legal matters impacting hotel and F amp B performance
• Monitor legal and regulatory developments relevant to hospitality tourism real estate and mixed use developments and advise on implications
• Oversee and manage disputes litigation arbitration and alternative dispute resolution matters coordinating with the company Litigation Team and external counsel as required
• Manage intellectual property matters relevant to company Hospitality assets including trademarks branding licensing and brand protection
• Support corporate governance matters including board and committee processes policies and compliance obligations
• Identify assess and proactively manage legal and regulatory risks implementing mitigation strategies aligned with business objectives
• Ensure adherence to company legal ethical and governance standards across all hospitality activities

Requirements

• 5-7 years (min) of post-qualification legal experience with leadership responsibilities
• Experience advising business stakeholders on commercial and operational legal matters
• Exposure to multi-jurisdictional work, with good familiarity with the UAE legal and regulatory environment
• Experience drafting, negotiating, and managing commercial agreements
• Cultural sensitivity in managing legal matters
• Education/ Professional Certification Bachelor of Laws degree (LL.B) or Juris Doctor (J.D) or equivalent from an internationally recognized law school or university and admission (to the relevant bar or equivalent) to practice law in a recognized jurisdiction.